Administrative Issues

• National Defence is working with Public Services and Procurement Canada to ensure that civilian employees are paid promptly and appropriately.
• National Defence has taken clear steps to improve our response to phoenix pay issues impacting our civilian employees:
  • We increased departmental capacity within the compensation team.
  • We established a virtual call centre to resolve pay and technical issues.
  • We issued salary advances.
  • And we provided training to all staff on the pay system.
• Our investments have steadily reduced the backlog by 48%.
• We remain fully engaged to ensure all civilian employees receive their correct pay in a timely manner.

• Increased departmental capacity within the compensation team to a planned 320 FTEs by March 2020.
• 20,554 National Defence employees remain affected by Phoenix-related issues.
• Since April 1, 2018, the backlog has been reduced by 48%.
• 37,533 cases have been resolved.

“Defence civilians face different demands than many of their public service counterparts, and Defence is committed to meeting their needs accordingly.”

• This Government is committed to openness and transparency.
• Compliance with the access to information and privacy acts is a key component of our commitment to share information with the public and the press.
• This is why National Defence increased the number of staff currently processing requests so as to respond more quickly.
• We are also working closely with the Information Commissioner to improve National Defence’s processes through training and greater oversight.
• These changes will help ensure we meet our obligations as prescribed by the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act.

If pressed on the Office of the Information Commissioner investigation into National Defence

• National Defence is fully collaborating with the Office of the Information Commissioner.
• The investigation is still ongoing and we look forward to the final findings and recommendations from the Information Commissioner.
• We have already taken concrete actions to implement recommendations in order to improve compliance with the Act.

• Since 2011-2012, National Defence has ranked in the top five departments for highest volume of access to information requests received.
• National Defence has received 16% more requests in 20182019, compared to the previous year.
• National Defence has closed 29% more requests, despite the higher volume; and
• 61% of these requests were closed within the required timeframes last year – the highest rate in 4 years.

“The Canadian Armed Forces will always ensure that the collection, analysis and use of information is done in accordance with the law, and recognizes the importance of civilian review of national security and intelligence activities, including through the new National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians.”